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Pause V Day 3 Generosity

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                           Pause Five, Day 3

Hospitality provides the opportunity to be generous with resources, time and one’s presence. It happens to be one of my spiritual gifts and I thoroughly enjoy exercising it while also delighting in seeing others use this gift. In the second chapter of John we are present at a wedding feast where some generosity is needed because they’d run out of wine.

Unlike today, you couldn’t just run to the store and buy wine.
But Jesus.
He was fully present that day and had vast resources at His disposal as the Lord of All. Would He be generous to help?

Indeed, Jesus was quite generous in not only providing wine, but fine wine. He didn’t advertise what His power was capable of doing, just provided instructions to the waitstaff, who were obedient to do as He instructed.
His generosity saved the day, and wooed others to glimpse God’s glory.

In the same way, He is generous to us as Messiah. He offers us the opportunity to be transformed from condemned in our sin to saved and redeemed into a new life. From powerless in sin and shame to empowered by His Spirit within us to live for Him. What needs we have, He can supply in ways we could never imagine. Jesus is still in the habit of being generous. He still saves the day as a good and generous Savior while pointing our hearts to His glory. Have you allowed His power to work in your life?

Today's Challenge

1) Be a scribe and copy the precious words of Scripture down word for word. Make space in your journal to write down every word of John 2:1-12 today. As you copy, look up a cross reference or two as you come to them (they are the small letters next to certain words in your study Bible or online at www.biblia.com). As you write, think of the incredible gift it is to be invited into God’s presence through His word!

2) Choose one of these options to answer the invitation of going deeper into biblical community!
a) Take a photo of your journal time this week and share it, or share a quote from it.
b) Do a Facebook Live on the GT Community group and share how God has been working in you.
c) Leave a comment here about it.
d) Share something God has been showing you in a comment at the GT Community Group
e) Plan a coffee or lunch date with a friend and share what you’ve been learning and soaking in as you have hit Pause.
f) Write a note of encouragement to a sister who has been through the nitty-gritty of real life with you. Let her know how deeply she has impacted your walk with Christ.
g) For some of us, having a “2am friend” to build biblical community with is a new concept. If that’s you, this is an exciting, fresh place to be! Connect with our Facebook Community, send us an email, reach out to your local church body, seek out a small group and plug in!

3) Memorize John 3:20-21

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John 2:1-12

On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’s mother was there, 2 and Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’s mother told Him, “They don’t have any wine.”

4 “What has this concern of yours to do with Me, woman?” Jesus asked.
“My hour has not yet come.”

5 “Do whatever he tells you,” His mother told the servants.

6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained twenty or thirty gallons. 7 “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.” And they did.

9 When the headwaiter tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10 and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people are drunk, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.”

11 Jesus did this, the first of His signs, in Cana of Galilee.
He revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.

12 After this, He went down to Capernaum, together with His mother, His brothers, and His disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1. Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with a simple challenge. Each challenge is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Pause Five Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause Five!

Sketched IX Day 6 Heart Healer

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 3:1-26
Isaiah 53:3-6
Luke 7:1-10
Luke 22:47-51

Sketched 9, Day 6

I noticed him straight away by the Beautiful Gate. It’s strange; I must have walked past him many times before, but as John and I approached the Temple, just in time for the afternoon prayer service, my attention was immediately drawn to the man.

He had been lame since birth, and he was over forty years old. Unable to earn a living any other way, his only hope was to beg for money from those visiting the Temple. I felt a pang of compassion as I saw him being carried there by friends and seated in his position by the gate.

“Please give me some money!”

As we got closer, he called out, his eyes lowered to the ground. Although he was not addressing his words particularly to us, and although we had no money, something made us stop, a prompting of the Holy Spirit. We had become familiar with the Holy Spirit’s work in recent days. On the day of Pentecost, God had filled us with His Spirit and empowered us as He promised He would. Where once we had been weak and fearful, now we were bold as we shared about Jesus, and miraculous signs and wonders were now regular occurrences.

I stood and gazed at the man, and my heart went out to him.

“Look at us,” I said. He raised his head eagerly, and I could see the hope in his eyes, the expectation that we were going to fulfil his request for money. But there was also something deeper, a glimmer of faith. Maybe the reason he sat outside the Temple each day wasn’t only because of the gathered crowds. Maybe his desperation had drawn him to the place of worship. I admired his hope and faith persisting after so many years.

I had no money, but I had something better to offer. I thought of all the times I had witnessed Jesus’ healing power as He cured the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, and even raised the dead. His authority was so great He had healed a centurion’s servant without even visiting the man, just by saying the word from a distance. His desire was always to heal.

Even not so long ago, in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus’ enemies came to arrest Him, He healed one of them! In my panicked attempt to defend Jesus, I had cut off a man’s ear, but Jesus simply told me to put my sword away, picked up the man’s ear, and restored it.

Now God had sent the Holy Spirit to fill us with the same power.
I knew what I had to do.

“I don’t have silver or gold,” I began, and the man’s face instantly fell. “But what I do have, I give you,” I continued. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

He looked at me in confusion, so I reached out my hand, and as I helped him to his feet, his ankles were instantly healed and strengthened!

His eyes were wide as he began walking, hardly daring to believe it was true. At first his steps were small and tentative, but then they became bigger and more confident. Before long he was leaping and shouting praise to God, unable to contain his joy and exuberance.

As we entered the Temple, he came with us, praising God all the way, and clinging to us. Unsurprisingly, a crowd gathered to learn the cause of the commotion, and I could hear their incredulous conversations.

“Isn’t that the beggar who sits by the gate?”
“It can’t be – you know he can’t walk.”
“But it looks like him… It is… It must be…”

As the truth sank in, they were completely astounded!

They surrounded John and me, and I knew I had to set the record straight. It was an amazing opportunity to tell the people about the source of this awesome power.

Addressing the crowd, I explained the man had not been healed in our power, but by Jesus’ power and by faith in His name.

They knew about Jesus. Many of them had been there that awful day as He stood before Pilate. Many of them had shouted for Jesus to be put to death and for Barabbas to be freed. (Mark 15:6-15)

Yet, I felt no bitterness towards them. Jesus’ death had been part of God’s plan, and God had shown His power by raising Jesus from the dead. Their sin, all of our sin, had been the very reason Jesus came. His command to “love your enemies” came to mind (Matthew 5:44), and I longed for them to understand how they were just as much in need of healing as the man who was now able to walk for the first time. They did not need healing of the body, but healing of the heart. This was exactly what Jesus’ death had made possible, if only they would accept it.

“Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of
refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19-20)

The physical healing of the man pointed toward a deeper, spiritual healing each one of us needed, a healing available to all because of Jesus’ sacrifice and victory.

The fire in my belly, a longing for each wounded heart to meet its Healer, burned ever stronger. Where would He lead us next?

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched IX Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched IX!

Neighbor Day 9 Reaching Beyond Isolation: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Reaching Beyond Isolation!

The Questions

1) Why is this lawyer asking questions of Jesus?

2) Although Jesus never directly answers the man’s question, what can we gather from His answer about our neighbors?

3) During the story Jesus told, He used three characters; what is the importance of the three characters He used?

4) Why is Jesus’ command at the end so important then and today?

Luke 10: 25-37

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Original Intent

1) Why is this lawyer asking questions of Jesus?
There were many who questioned Jesus throughout his ministry, especially religious leaders of the day, as well as those who simply did not understand what Jesus was doing. In the verses just before this passage Jesus is celebrating with a group He has empowered and sent out to do to ministry. They are celebrating over the work that has been accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit through them. As they rejoice, Jesus reminds them there will be those who will not understand, nor see, or hear as they do. On the heels of that conversation, this lawyer stands up and asks, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”. In Jesus’ answer, Jesus emphasizes His point to the disciple about people missing the message of hope even though they are hearing it. While the lawyer answers the question according to the law, he entirely misses the point Jesus was making, which why the lawyer follows up with another question, “And who is my neighbor?”. Luke tells us the lawyer seeks to justify his own actions by seeking a point of clarification rather than embracing the fullness of hope Jesus offers.

2) Although Jesus never directly answers the man’s question, what can we gather from His answer about our neighbors?
Jesus tells a story, called a parable, to answer the lawyer’s question. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus used them often to answers questions such as these. Through this story we gather that, as follower of Christ, we should show compassion, mercy, and hospitality to our neighbors. We can also understand that our neighbor isn’t just the person who lives next door to us, but rather anyone we happen upon in our goings and comings, whether they are permanent fixtures in our life, or just in our lives for a season.

3) During the story Jesus told, He used three characters; what is the importance of the three characters He used?
Although the three characters may have little connection to present day, when Jesus was telling this story His three characters had significant impact on His audience. The priest and Levites were the Jewish religious leaders of the day who had great knowledge of the Law of God and were regarded as the leaders of the Jewish people, both politically and spiritually. The Samaritans where considered “half-breeds”, outcast, even unclean by the Jewish people because they were descendants from the Jews who had married women during the time of the establishment of northern kingdom when the ten northern tribes separated from Judah. The children who came from these marriages were not fully Jewish, rather only half Jew, which was a disgrace beyond reconciling in the eyes of Jewish people and Jewish leaders. This family lineage made them “less than” in the eyes of those who had two Jewish parents. Jesus used this cultural resistance to the Samaritans to prove a point to Jewish listeners and break down cultural barriers that existed at that time.

4) Why is Jesus’ command at the end so important then and today?
When Jesus told stories of this nature there was intentionality and purpose behind them. In this case, He uses this story to form to activate those listening to go and follow in the footsteps of the Samaritan. His command is simple, Go and do. The importance of this is found in the simplicity of the command. Two thousand plus years have come and gone, but the command of Christ remains to show mercy, be intentional, and show hospitality to those around you, regardless of who you are, or who they are, in the eyes of the world.

Everyday Application

1) Why is this lawyer asking questions of Jesus?
Some people ask questions because they are truly seeking an answer and desire greater understanding, and some ask questions with the intent to justify their own actions because they know what should be done, but are instead trying to find a “loop-hole” around it. As we read this passage, we should take note of our hearts before the Lord. When God moves us to speak to our neighbor or talk to the person behind the counter as we check out at the grocery story, our first response should not be one of questioning and finagling around the situation, but rather one of obedience much like the Samaritan. Questions are not wrong, if our intent is true wonder and deeper understanding rather than justification of our actions. Intentionality, even in our questions, could open our eyes to see and our ears to hear in new ways.  Do we desire loop-holes or obedience?

2) Although Jesus never directly answers the man’s question, what can we gather from His answer about our neighbors?
It is much easier to move through life if the world were always structural defined with obvious black and white lines rather than gray. Giving specific definition to who our neighbors are with names and places would make it much easier. As we read the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus answer is quite clear. Setting aside cultural differences and societal status, our neighbor is everyone we encounter. Every encounter is an opportunity for expressing the gospel in love, and that is the simple answer Jesus was giving through a detailed story. Our purpose is to be on point for Him and be imitators of Him regardless of who crosses our path (Philippians 2:5).

3) During the story Jesus told, He used three characters; what is the importance of the three characters He used?
Jesus, the Messiah, the Emmanuel, the bringing of salvation, came to break down barriers, changes lives, and help us see differently than the world. He empowers us to have open eyes to those who are different from us, to those who believe differently than us, and those who look different as well. There are no barriers when the Gospel is present. May our prayer be to follow Him despite the barriers the world, or even we, put in the way. May our eyes be open to see as He sees and love like He loves!

4) Why is Jesus’ command at the end so important then and today?
In our busyness, we create obstacles with our schedules and our time. The simplicity of the gospel is evident in Jesus command to go and do. In the Great Commission, His words were very similar: go, make disciples, baptize, and teach them. What’s interesting in Jesus’ story is that the Samaritan man wasn’t putting on a great production or doing something special in his everyday life when he encountered the wounded man. He happened up a man on the road and helped him. An injured man entered his world, and he had a choice to make. Much like the Samaritan, we have people constantly entering into our lives and we too have a choice to make just like he did. God, changer of lives, can use anybody to impact this world for Him, we must make the choice to let Him work through us!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Reaching Beyond Isolation!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Neighbor Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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The GT Weekend ~ Seeds Week 2

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Sara put words to a struggle we all encounter at various points in life, either to live in fear of people or walk in faith with the God who has never failed us. Take some time to identify where you have lived in fear of people in the past. How has the Lord shaped your heart to choose Him, as the better, over acquiescing to others? Celebrate His work here! Consider new challenges where you are apt to choose what people want at the expense of following the Savior? Take these specifically to the Lord in prayer!

2) On Wednesday, we were challenged to consider the pitfalls of our identity sources. Sara noted how grateful she was for having walked through a season of having her identity deconstructed. Consider writing out your top 4 markers of your identity and sift through the source for each of those. If the source is removed, the identity will crumble. What is holding up your identity?

3) All throughout this Journey Theme of Seeds, we’ve been challenging ourselves to consider “what if” we lived as boldly as the examples we find in the pages of Acts of those first century Christians. Their stories are incredible and their faith seems entirely other, but it began simply, exactly like our own. Each of their journeys grew from a seed of faith, nourished by a regular, consistent investment in a relationship with the God of the Universe in everyday life. The invitation for dramatic life change is ours as well. What If  you were to begin investing deeper with Jesus this weekend? Where might He take you? What would He want you to know? Who would He want you to share the gospel with? Suppose the Lord had written an invitation to you, what would your response be? Write it out and be willing to be different!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Job 38:31-33 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades
or loose the cords of Orion?
Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season,
or can you guide the Bear with its children?
Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you establish their rule on the earth?

Prayer Journal
Ah Lord God, Your good kindness to us is so far beyond my comprehension. Keep taking my breath away with the vastness of Your love and Your design for life! You, who created galaxies we haven’t even explored. You, who gather the seas in Your hand. You who measure the mountains on a scale. You, who crafted the body of an ant and the structure of micro-organisms, purposed to have a relationship with every single human being on a deep and personal level. And then You called us out, made us new, and gave us purpose as You invited us into a mission to love others as You have loved us. Keep my eyes focused in this rich truth, reminding me You’ve invited me ever deeper into “What If!”.

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Seeds Day 10 Empowered To BE

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Acts 8:26-40
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Romans 8:9-11
John 14:9-2
Ephesians 3:16-20

Seeds, Day 10

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to BE your favorite animal?
To soar like an eagle?
Carry 20x your weight like an ant?
Change colors like a chameleon?
Do acrobatics like a dolphin?

The Kratt Brothers have been helping children learn about animal “super powers” for decades.  At the beginning of each episode, they introduce an animal, highlight its unique traits, then ask something like, “Can you imagine if we really could join the pack and howl with the wolves?”  The brothers jump into position and ask “What if…” as they transform into cartoon characters who go on a creature adventure experiencing firsthand the super powers of the animal.

As I considered this Journey Study, several questions immediately stood out:

What if we lived like we had access to the Holy Spirit?
What if eternity really could be changed by our simple, willing obedience?

I couldn’t help but think of the Kratt Brothers’ enthusiastic “What if…!”

It’s easy to look at biblical men like Joseph, Daniel, Peter, or Paul and think they were super-humans with special powers.  We put them on a pedestal, figuring we could never be like them – teaching, preaching, healing, changing lives, and building God’s kingdom like crazy.

We read about strong, brave women like Ruth, Esther, Hannah, and Mary categorizing them as heroes of faith while quickly writing off OUR ability to have the same impact.

But WHAT IF…

What if we DO have the same power as Peter and Paul?!
What if we CAN make a difference in our families, communities, and ultimately the world like the heroines we admire?

What if?!

In Acts 8, we find another biblical hero, Philip; a man God used to alter the course of history.

We find Philip in Jerusalem, having just returned from Samaria.  He’s busy preaching the gospel, and despite the persecution believers are facing, the church is growing!  Demons are being cast out; the paralyzed and lame are being healed.  God is obviously at work!

In the midst of all this action, an angel tells Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”  (Acts 8:26)

What would you have done?
Pulled up GPS on your phone for exact directions?
Checked the weather app to see what you need to pack?
Looked at your calendar for your next available opening?

Of course Philip didn’t have a cell phone, but even if he did, I’m not sure he would have done any of those things.  Scripture says he simply “rose and went.” (verse 27)

Makes me think about Abraham when God told him to sacrifice Isaac.
Or when Jesus called out to James and John, “Follow Me.”
Or when an angel woke Joseph up in the middle of the night, “Flee to Egypt.”

In each instance, like with Philip, God said….
They did.

No questions asked.
No waiting, planning, or second guessing.
Just pure, simple, IMMEDIATE obedience.

As a result, God did amazing things.

In Acts, God had prepared a divine appointment for Philip.
There on the road was “an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure.”

The angel instructed, “Go over and join his chariot.” (verse 29)
Again, Philip obeys.

He doesn’t stop to play out scenarios in his head or worry about offending him or
being ignored.
He just goes.
RUNS actually.

Approaching the chariot, Phillip hears the man reading in Isaiah, about Jesus.
The man had questions.
Philip had answers.
How convenient!
Like it was meant to be!

Philip explains the Scriptures, tells him about Jesus, and the Ethiopian eunuch believes!

As if God planned it, at that very moment, they came upon water, giving Philip the opportunity to baptize his new brother.

As the eunuch comes up out of the water, an angel whisks Philip away, and the men never see each other again. The eunuch continued on his way rejoicing.
I can almost guarantee you, he told his friends and family what happened.

“It was crazy. I was sitting in the chariot, reading the scroll and all of a sudden this strange man appeared and asked if I needed help understanding the passage.  Actually, I did!  I was so confused, but he answered all my questions! I gave my life to Jesus, and then we passed some water, so I got baptized!  But when I came out of the water, the dude was gone!  He vanished!”

And remember, the Ethiopian was a court official.
I’m going to guess he also shared his incredible story at the palace.
Guards.
Cooks.
Butlers and maids.
Visiting dignitaries.
EVERYONE, even the queen herself, heard alllllll about it.

One act of obedience, and God used a single man to spread the gospel throughout Africa.

How many lives were impacted because Philip went to the road?
How was history changed because Philip ran up to the chariot?

Philip didn’t have any special powers.
He wasn’t an extraordinary man.
BUT the extraordinary GOD used him to do powerful, extraordinary things.

What if we were like Philip?

What if we surrendered our plans and started each day with,
“Here I am…use me however you need.”

What if we were willing to come alongside others in our lives, regardless of race, economic status, sexuality, or religious beliefs?

What if we were ready to hear their stories and listen to their questions?

What if we were ready to explain the hope we have in Jesus?

What if?!

You don’t need a special suit or incredible imaginations like the Wild Kratt brothers to be a heroine. If you believe in Jesus, YOU have super powers.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALREADY IN YOU,
LIVING AND ACTIVE,
READY TO DO POWERFUL, EXTRAORDINARY THINGS…
if you are ready and willing!

What if we say YES to God…no matter what?

Can you imagine?!

Ready for more? Dig Deeper!
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Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Seeds Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Seeds!

Pause Day 10 In Glorious Might

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The more we discover and experience of the Almighty, the deeper we are drawn into genuine, whole-life worship. 
Worship that doesn’t begin and end with a few songs on Sunday, but shows up in the way we handle conflict, the way we treat our children when we are angry, and what happens in our hearts when we face disappointment.
Worship is about knowing our Savior. It’s about relinquishing all we know of ourselves to all we know of Him.
And letting that be enough.

As we’ve walked through just the first chapter of Colossians this week, it’s our prayer that you have taken up the invitation to know the Master in deeper ways. We pray your appetite for worship has been whetted and that as you look ahead into this weekend, that you won’t lose sight of all He has granted you through the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let your knowledge of the Holy One guide your heart to worship Him this weekend, and may that worship overflow into every aspect of your everyday!

Today's Invitation

1) Search back through Colossians 1 and hover over that verse (or verses) that God has used to speak deeply and personally to your heart this week. Write those down on several notecards and post them around your house – then post a picture of your reminder cards on Instagram or on our Facebook Community Page. Take the weekend to memorize them and forever hide them in your heart!

2) We have a new hand-crafted Spotify playlist to help remind you of solid truth this weekend! Let its message draw your heart into worship as you consider the Lord that loves and pursues you!

3) Good community means sharing good food! From the kitchen of Rebecca, check out this yummy Frog Eye Salad and share it with someone you love!

1/2 box (or bag) Acini di Pepe pasta
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
7/8 cup pineapple juice (hint: one small can in a 6-pack)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 Tablespoon lemon juice (1 1/2 teaspoons)
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained*
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple tidbits, drained*
1/2 carton Cool Whip
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup flaked coconut

Combine sugar, flour, and salt in pan. Stir in pineapple juice and egg. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick. (If you don’t stir constantly, you’ll have scrambled eggs in your salad.) Add lemon juice; cool to room temperature.

Boil pasta; drain.

Combine eggs and pasta; mix well and refrigerate overnight in an airtight container.

Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate in airtight container until thoroughly chilled.

*Use canned fruit of your choice. Maraschino cherries are a nice addition, too.
**Makes 1/2 batch

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Colossians 1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Preeminence of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

How Does “Pause” Work?
1.Each day, Monday through Friday, for 3 weeks, we will provide you with an invitation to get away with the Savior. Each one is designed for you to engage with the Almighty in a deeper way and perhaps in a new way than you have been recently.

2. Having a journal is a must! You’ll want to take notes as you walk this special Journey of Pause.

3. Each week focuses on one or two passage of Scripture and we walk with you as you study and flesh these out for yourself. As you write your thoughts, read His Word, and pray, questions might come up. That’s Perfect! Ask a trusted fellow believer, a pastor, or send us an email as you work through them!

4. Jumping in at the middle? No problem! Here is the entire Journey Theme.

5. Connect with others on Facebook by visiting our GT Community Group!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Pause Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme? Here’s a link to all past studies
in Pause!